The keyword phrase "Patriots Day 2017" functions as a proper noun phrase. It designates a specific, singular event: the observance of the holiday Patriots' Day in the particular year of 2017. As a proper noun, it names a unique entity, distinguishing it from the general concept of the holiday or its celebration in other years.
Grammatically, the core of the phrase is the proper noun "Patriots Day," which is the official name of the holiday. The numeral "2017" acts as a postpositive adjective or a specifier, modifying the noun to pinpoint a precise instance in time. This structure is common for naming specific occurrences of recurring events, such as "the 2016 Summer Olympics" or "Super Bowl LI." The entire phrase operates as a single conceptual unit to refer to all activities, commemorations, and related news connected to that specific day.
Recognizing this term as a proper noun phrase is crucial as it dictates the scope and focus of the article. It establishes that the subject is not the holiday in general, but a distinct historical event. Therefore, the article's content should be specific to the 2017 observance, covering details such as the winners of that year's Boston Marathon, any special ceremonies that took place, or other relevant news and context unique to that particular date.
